Sunday, August 21, 2011

Monday, August 22 - Friday, August 26

Welcome to week three and our second A week!

All students - make an effort to pay fees this week.  If you are not able to pay all at once, pay one class fee each month.


A few observations from the first two weeks:
  • Attendance has been excellent - keep it up!
  • Do not wait for me to tell you to "take notes", "get out your notebook", etc.  You should begin each class with an open notebook and a pen/pencil.  If you hear information that is new to you, write it down! 
  • We have already determined that remembering is difficult - what have you already forgotten this past week - instructions, login/password, homework, HR info, pictures??? Take positive steps to get organized.
  • Check teacher blogs on a regular (minimum of weekly).
  • Remember, you have homework EVERY night to study your notes.  
Honors (Pre-AP) Biology:Our first test is scheduled for this week.  I hope you took good notes during our test review.  Fees are due ($20/year).  I need to order lab supplies and dissecting materials as soon as possible.  Extra credit: +5 points on your first test for bringing in a minimum of 2 rolls of paper towels and one box of tissue.  Make sure your name is on each. Must be received by the beginning of class on Thursday. 


Objectives: 1) Use a compound light microscope to draw and identify microscopic images; 2) Correctly convert metric measurements (kilo, centi, milli); 3) correctly ID the metric terms for mass, measurement, volume, and temperature; 
  • Mon, 8/22: Test: notes on Intro to Biology. Material to be included: vocabulary; scientific method; identifying dependent/independent variables; graph interpretation; and lab equipment. Class activity: Review parts of a microscope HW: Study notes, study for Lab Safety test, SR P 24, 2-9, Q&A (notebook)
  • Wed., 8/24: HW check and review correct answers. Lab Safety quiz. Free response part of test.  ***Lab Skills activity: Use a microscope to focus microscopic objects and correctly draw image. Review test results. HW: ***Review Lab Skills activity page 28/29.  Begin write-up in your notebook.  Write objectives, answer background questions, and complete data table (#1) as well as familiarize yourself with the experiment. ***Not completed or assigned as too many students did not have HW!
  • Thurs., 8/25: HW check and discussion. CW activity: Review Lab Skills activity page 28/29.  Begin write-up in your notebook.  Write objectives, answer background questions, and complete data table (#1) as well as familiarize yourself with the experiment. Lab skills - use correct lab equipment to determine temperature and compare the density of oil and water. HW: Complete lab graph. Review notes. Familiarize yourself with the experiment - density, microscope lab.
Tech Essentials:  We are continuing to get all new students a login as well as ncths email account - in addition to getting enough computers to accommodate all students. We are continuing our review of internet safety, netiquette, and internet searching
Principles of Engineering:  We have reviewed the Engineering Design Process, Engineering notebook procedures, and completed several activities to practice each.  We are beginning a fairly simple activity to reinforce how to correctly proceed with each.  Specifically, students will design a candy bag using the design process as a guideline and correctly record the process in their notebooks.  

  • Mon., 8/22: Check homework - notes on candy bag design, scale-drawn sketch of bag design in notebook with annotations and dimensions. Complete paper prototype. CW: Review materials for design. Test prototype, determine volume, re-design, re-sketch and get teacher approval to continue. HW: re-write and study for test on Thursday - Design process, sketches, scale drawing, engineering notebook.
  • Wed., 8/24: CW: Finish bag and present design and show volume/weight held ratio. HW: study for test.
  • Thurs., 8/25: Test.  Finish presentations.

B Days (Tuesday and Friday)
Multimedia:  We continue to review vector tools and create original graphics using these tools.  

  • Tues., 8/23: Complete NCTHS Logo. Complete original cartoon graphic or approved cartoon graphic (ex: Spongebob, Hello Kitty, etc.) HW: Study for test - notes on graphics formats, Fireworks
  • Fri., 8/26: Test.  CW: Introduce skills - modify vector objects - join, punch.  Practice skills
Tech Essentials:  Same as A days (Mon and Wed)
Honors Biology:  Same as A days (Mon and Wed):